NBC Sports Network scores historic NHL ratings for Stanley Cup Final

You might be getting sick of seeing this same story repeated almost every week, but NBC Sports Network is once again celebrating their NHL coverage. Specifically, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals was the most-watched game in network history (3.964 million). Just a couple of days later, Game 3 raised the bar even higher with 4.001 million viewers. 

Game 3's enormous numbers are the second-highest in network history, trailing only the U.S. Women's gold medal soccer game (4.350 million viewers) during the 2012 Olympics. 

Perhaps the most impressive part of all of this is the fact NBC Sports Network's coverage of Game 3 was the top cable network for viewers ages 18-49 and 25-54 between 8-11pm ET. That's not an easy demographic to corner. 

If you've watched the first two games between the Blackhawks and Bruins, odds are you already understand why Game 3 brought in such huge numbers. The first two games in the series ended in OT, a dream scenario for neutral hockey fans around the country. The two teams split the first two games making Game 3 in Boston a critical one for both clubs. 

If you're curious about the local ratings, those were just as impressive. Boston led the way with a huge 27.2 rating while Chicago checked in from the third spot with a 16.8 rating. And those numbers should only go up from here.